UPDATE:  Last night we received over $123 in cash donations and a bag of gently used coats for the Veteran's Community Project!  We decided we will have a jar at each meeting and do this monthly!

Recently, member Cheryl Schoenberg, Owner from the ground UP photography,  brought this suggestion to the Board since our November PD&E Meeting is the same week Veteran's Day. In honor of the sacrifices made by veteran's throughout our country's history, we decided to support a local veteran's project that is helping our homeless vets take the first step home. 
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Veterans Community Project is dedicated to supporting every man and woman who took the oath for our country. We are determined to make a difference in the lives of homeless Veterans, a task accomplished by the community for the community.
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They are building a specialized community of tiny-homes and onsite services to provide housing stability and address the underlying cause of the Veteran’s homelessness. ​

Recently, member Cheryl Schoenberg, Owner from the ground UP photography,  brought this suggestion to the Board since our November PD&E Meeting is the same week Veteran's Day. In honor of the sacrifices made by veteran's throughout our country's history, we decided to support a local veteran's project that is helping our homeless vets take the first step home. 
​
Veterans Community Project is dedicated to supporting every man and woman who took the oath for our country. We are determined to make a difference in the lives of homeless Veterans, a task accomplished by the community for the community.
​
They are building a specialized community of tiny-homes and onsite services to provide housing stability and address the underlying cause of the Veteran’s homelessness. 

They recently got some good press about the Veterans Village of tiny houses they have been building for homeless vets in the area to use as transitional housing. They are building the houses in groups of 10 per build with a goal of having 50 completed when the current village is complete.  They not only provide the transitional housing but also coordinate and/or provide the services the veterans need to move forward and rebuild their lives (and eventually move out of the transitional tiny house). They are a 501c3 working to end veteran homelessness in the area.

Some of the items needed to support the mission of the Veteran's Community Project include:

• Gently used coats
• Gloves 
• Warm socks
• Hand and Foot warmers
• Small denomination gift cards (suggest $10) to any or an assortment of the following: 
• Quick Trip
•  Price Chopper
•  HyVee
•  Aldi
•  Walmart
•  Target
•  Dollar General
•  Dollar Tree

 A note about the gift cards:  If anyone is concerned about tobacco or alcohol, we've learned that the stores can issue cards that do not allow purchase of those items.  
 
Gift cards to locations that also sell gasoline are the best choice. One issue veteran's have is that folks can't get to a job because they can't afford gas in their car. For those who prefer to donate cash, we collect the cash for the gift cards and Cheryl Schoenberg has volunteered to purchase them all at once because that would be easier for everyone.  As a self-proclaimed "military brat" and spouse of a serviceman, she will make certain that the cards are not usable for tobacco or alcohol.

The Board appreciates that Cheryl brought this idea forward and encourages anyone to participate who would like to!